Safety question?

[dboyd101]

Hey guys,

I do a lot of shore fishing, and I tend to go at night because of work, and I seem to have better luck twilight. I got pretty spooked last night when I thought I heard a bear, and last week I was visually stalked by a red fox in the same area. (Saw the red fox watching me, I would walk, it would walk in same direction, I would stop, it would stop and look at me).

My question is, when you shore fish, do you carry a knife or anything with you for protection? I suppose it's a dumb question, but I felt a little naked in the outdoors when I only had my line cutting nail clippers.

Thanks!

[Wilson]

Pepper Spray?

[Ol Pedro]

Used to carry a bat at the Old Wharf before Cat Man Do F%$#d it all up . A Fox will follow you if it has a den near by . They also have learned to steal food/bait from Fishermen . If you make enough noise when moving along trails/shoreline most critters will give you a wide berth . Had Deer come down to the water while I was wading before .

[kcritch]

That fox was looking for a hand out for sure. I'm with ya on that bear thing though. I live in Bridgewater and they have been seen here a lot lately. They just had one treed in downtown Raritan yesterday.

I say bring a slower buddy with you!

[AndyS]

I had the same experience with a fox late at night surf fishing in Bay Head.
He wanted in on my bucket of eels. I would go toward him he would walk away, I stop, he stops, played cat and mouse for a while. I keep a whistle in my freshwater vest.

[dboyd101]

Thanks for the input. Definitely think it's an overlooked aspect that should be kept in mind. A large knife might be too much, but who knows. Glad to know that I wasn't the first to experience the fox thing either. While it was cool, and unbelievably silent, it was a bit nerve wracking.

-Dave

[johnnyc08]

i ALWAYS carry a pocket knife with me...easy to open fast... (whether im working in newark...lol... or fishing wherever) i know a pocket knife is nothing against a bear but at least ill go down trying...have a steak knife as well in my tackle